Earlier in the offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo garnered attention for his partnership with NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon.
The Greek Freak decided to do it because he wanted to better his game, but using the Olajuwon's assistance reportedly came at a high cost.
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18:15 - 25.09.2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Hakeem Olajuwon: Nigerian freak thanks Lagos-born legend for training
Nigerian freak Giannis Antetokounmpo thanks Lagos-born legend Hakeem Olajuwon for training ahead of the 2023/24 NBA season.
Hakeem is rumored to charge $50,000 per week for training sessions, to be more precise.
In the past month or two, this has drawn criticism, with even former NBA great Gilbert Arenas voicing his opinions on the subject.
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17:40 - 19.09.2023
Hakeem Olajuwon: Nigerian legend trolled for charging N40m per workout session
Nigerian basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon has been called out because of the huge amount he charges for his training sessions.
But while speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Giannis expressed a different viewpoint.
Giannis has been open about his admiration for the Rockets legend's brilliance and his conviction that, with Hakeem's guidance, he could significantly improve.
So, as soon as word of his charge claims spread, "the Greek Freak" was eager to weigh in on the blowback the legend was experiencing.
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The Freak recently defended him and even stated a much greater sum he would be willing to pay to use the services of the Nigerian icon.
Giannis thanks Hakeem Olajuwon
Antetokounmpo thanked Lagos-born legend Hakeem Olajuwon for training ahead of the 2023/24 NBA season.
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Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo is back in the spotlight.
The 28-year-old star for the Milwaukee Bucks has given an important update ahead of the start of the 2023/24 NBA season.
The NBA superstar talked about working out with Olajuwon on a podcast and finally made the trip to Houston to get the workout done.
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He took to his official social media platforms to show off pictures of his workout with Olajuwon.
Along with the photos was a message that said, "I enjoy being a student of the game.
"Learn, respect, and appreciate greatness. Thank you Hakeem 34."
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Giannis Antetokounmpo and Hakeem Olajuwon explained
After a visit to Lagos, Nigerian Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo explains looking up to Hakeem Olajuwon and plans to train with the Lagos-born Legend.
Although Giannis Antetokounmpo has long been among the NBA's finest players, it is well-known that he is constantly striving to get better.
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The Greek professional basketball player of Nigerian descent will aim to get better and will involve one of the greatest players in history
On the 48 Minutes podcast, Antetokounmpo discussed his intentions to travel to Houston in the months before the 2023–24 season to train with former American professional basketball player of Nigerian descent Hakeem Olajuwon.
In the interview, Antetokounmpo was compared to Olajuwon because they both wear the number 34 jersey and are of Nigerian descent.
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Antetokounmpo was born to Nigerian parents in Greece while Olajuwon was born in Lagos but moved abroad.
Despite their Nigerian connection, Antetokoumpo plays for the Greece national team while Olajuwon who was born in Lagos decided to play for the American national team.
Giannis who recently visited Nigeria with his mother stated that he looked up to Olajuwon.
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Only three players in NBA history have earned both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same campaign, with Antetokounmpo and Olajuwon being two of those along with Michael Jordan.
Hakeem Olajuwon was criticized for charging 40 million naira ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo's training
Olajuwon was been called out because of the huge amount he charged for his training sessions.
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Olajuwon regarded as one of the best players the NBA has produced is in the news but this time, he's being trolled for the exorbitant fees he charges.
The former Houston Rockets great and a member of the Hall of Fame is a well-sought-after personality because of his training sessions, which produce impressive results.
Olajuwon is one of the best two-way players in NBA history. He was so good that his jersey number was retired by both Houston Rockets and the University of Houston.
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Given that he had success in the NBA more recently than other great centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain, many even consider him to be the best center of all time.
The success of Hakeem Olajuwon's big-man camp, which professional athletes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have previously attended, has taken on a legendary quality.
Many players have spent their summers working out with Hakeem because of the improvements in their games they experienced after that camp.
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Olajuwon is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection ranks ninth in steals and is the all-time leader in blocked shots.
Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA player, says that Hakeem demands $50,000 approximately 40 million naira for each training session.
Given the size of current NBA contracts, Arenas claims that it is Hakeem's method of increasing his earnings.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo justifies Hakeem Olajuwon’s charges for practice sessions
Giannis Antetokounmpo immediately defended Olajuwon since he is not renowned for downplaying the greatness of others.
Giannis defended Olajuwon's charging, but the athlete also admitted that Hakeem wasn't actually going to charge.
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Speaking to Sirius XM NBA Radio, he said, “At the end of the day, Hakeem [Olajuwon] is one of the best players to ever play the game.
"You cannot even disrespect him in no shape or form. He is probably top 10 to ever play this game, if not the most skilled big to ever play this game.
"So, if somebody like me, two-time MVP, champion, seek for advice from the most skilled big man of all time… And you know, I have to pay $1,000,000, I will pay $1,000,000!
"He takes time away from his kids, you know, away from his home, and away from the things that he enjoy to do, to kinda help you be better.
"If he choose to charge you with money, it’s okay. I see there’s nothing wrong with that. So, I don’t understand like, I saw some things earlier, like two weeks ago, that they were saying like, ‘why he was charging?’. There is nothing wrong with him charging.”
“In no shape or form, he told me to pay.”
But it was still a mystery why Hakeem requested him not to pay anything, especially because no one else had ever brought it up before.
Even in his retirement, Olajuwon made maneuvers that appeared more fluid than anything modern athletes could muster.
Giannis drives to the basket well but Olajuwon is one of the best to play with his back to the basket known for his post-up moves and footwork.
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